Apparatus for washing clothes



y 31, 1956 G. P. CASTNER APPARATUS FOR WASHING CLOTHES Filed July 22,1952 INVENTOR. George P Casfner f5 z I j a v g REDUCTION GEAR/N6 79United States Patent APPARATUS FOR WASHING CLOTHES George P. Castner,Webster City, Iowa, assignor to Speed-Flex, Inc., a corporation of lowaApplication July '22, 1952, Serial No. 300,396

4 Claims. (Cl. 68-22) The present invention relates to apparatus forwashing clothes, or the like.

Heretofore it has been proposed to provide apparatus for washingclothes, or the like, that involves a clothes washing machine comprisinga stationary upstanding tub provided with a substantially horizontalbottom wall carrying a flat disk-like dasher adjacent thereto that iscontinuously rotated in a single direction about a substantiallyvertical axis at a relatively high speed for the purposes of effectingcirculation of the wash liquid and the clothes contained in the tub andof producing a washing action upon the clothes. However, this machinewas not productive of a satisfactory washing action upon the clothes dueto the formation of an upstanding open vortex in the substantiallyvertically disposed column of the wash liquid located directly above theface of the dasher incident to the continuous rotation of the dasher atthe relatively high speed, whereby the clothes became trapped in theupstanding open vortex in the wash liquid and the wash liquid wascirculated in an upstanding torus about the clothes, so that the clotheswere badly tangled and poorly washed. In view of this difficulty, it wasconcluded that the production of a satisfactory clothes washing machineof the character noted was not feasible since no arrangement wasapparent that would prevent the formation of the undesirable upstandingopen vortex in vortex in the wash liquid contained in the tub incidentto the continuous rotation of the dasher about the substantiallyvertical axis thereof at the relatively high speed is prevented, andthat the tangling and balling-up of the clothes are greatly minimized oreliminated.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved apparatus forwashing clothes in a stationary upstanding tub in which the clothes aresubjected to a plurality of successive washing cycles; wherein, in eachwashing cycle, the clothes and the wash liquid are continuously whirledand centrifugally discharged during a first short time interval in afirst direction outwardly away from a substantially horizontallydisposed active area in the tub and sucked back inwardly toward thecenter of the active area, then the clothes and the wash liquid arebrought to a substantially quiescent condition during a second shorttime interval, then the clothes and the wash liquid are continuouslywhirled and centrifugally discharged during a third short time intervalin a second spiral path in a second direction outwardly away from thesubstantially horizontally disposed active area in the tub and suckedback inwardly toward the center of the active area, then the clothes andthe wash liquid are brought to a substantially quiescent conditionduring a fourth short time interval, each of the first and third shorttime intervals being of insuflicient time duration to accommodate theformation of any substantial upstanding open vortex in the wash liquidin the tub, the first and second directions being opposite to each otherto minimize tangling of the clothes, and rubbing and pulsating theclothes as they are moved through the substantially horizontallydisposed active area.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved apparatus ofthe character described, wherein the mass of the wash liquid and theclothes are substantially completely confined on all sides in the tub,and wherein each of the second and fourth short time intervals is of asufiiciently long time duration so that therein any slight tangling ofthe clothes is substantially completely relieved.

A further object of the invention is to provide a clothes Washingmachine of the character noted that comprises an improved and simplifiedmechanism for carrying out the washing cycle of the character described.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a clothes washingmachine of the character noted that comprises an improved arrangementfor mounting a clothes wringer in the upper portion of the tub so thatthe clothes wringer may be readily and conveniently moved between anoperative position disposed above the tub and a storage positiondisposed within the tub.

The present invention is predicated upon the discovery that in a clotheswashing machine of the character described, the formation of theobjectionable upstanding open vortex in the wash liquid incident to thecontinuous rotation of the substantially horizontally disposed dashermay be prevented either by constructing the tub so that the wash liquidand clothes receiving compartment therein is completely full duringrotation of the dasher, leaving no air space to accommodate theformation of the upstanding open vortex, or by controlling the dasherdrive mechanism so that the direction of the continuous rotation of thedasher is periodically reversed, coupled with intervening periods inwhich rotation of the dasher is arrested. Moreover, the control of thedasher drive mechanism mentioned substantially completely eliminates thenormal tendency of a clothes washing machine of the character describedto tangle the clothes during the washing operation. Thus by employing inthe clothes washing machine both the construction of the tub mentionedand the control of the dasher drive mechanism mentioned, the formationof the upstanding open vortex in the wash liquid and the tanglingof theclothes are substantially completely eliminated.

In the construction of the tub, the compartment is defined in anupstanding position above the face of the dasher and between the bottomwall-of the tub and a bafile arranged in the upper portion of the tub,and a throat opening is provided that is offset with respect to thesubstantially vertical axis of rotation of the dasher, the throatopening communicating between the compartment and the exterior, and thenormal wash liquid level in the tub being disposed above the throatopening to insure complete filling of the compartment with the washliquid and the clothes. In the control of the dasher drive mechanism,the dasher is continuously rotated in a first direction during a firstshort time interval, whereby there is no formation of an upstanding openvortex in the wash liquid and there is only a slight tendency to wrap-upthe clothes in the first direction; and during a following second shorttime interval, rotation of the dasher is arrested, whereby the clothesnicely unfold in the wash liquid as the clothes and the wash liquidassume a substantially quiescent condition. Then the dasher iscontinuously rotated in a second direction during a third short timeinterval, whereby there is no formation of an upstanding open vortex inthe wash liquid and there is only a slight tendency to wrap-up theclothes in the second direction; and during a following fourth shorttime interval, rotation of the dasher is arrested, whereby the clothesnicely unfold in the wash liquid as the clothes and the wash liquidagain assume a substantially quiescent condition. Thus in the twocomplementary active portions of each washing cycle there is noformation of an upstanding open vortex in the wash liquid and thetendencies to wrap up the clothes are in opposite directions, so that ineach active portion of each washing cycle, the clothes are unwrappedwith respect to the wrap-up in the immediately preceding active portionof the washing cycle. Further, in each substantially quiescent portionof each washing cycle, the centrifugal forces; tending to form anupstandingopen vertex in the liquid are removed, and not only are theclothes nicely unfolded in the wash liquid as previously noted, but theclothes are subjected to what may be termed a soaking action that isvery beneficial in causing soil that has been previously loosened fromthe clothes to separate therefrom in the wash liquid. In fact, it hasbeen discovered that the two soaking actions that take place between thetwo oppositely directed washing actions in the washing cycle areproductive of an overall reduction in the total washing time intervalrequired to obtain a given washing effect upon a given load of clothes.

While itis not essential that the two time intervals of rotation of thedasher in the two opposite directions are identical, it is convenient inthe construction of the cycle control mechanism or timer to provide thisarrangement; and likewise, while it is notessential that the two timeintervals during which rotation of the dasher is arrested are identical,it is convenient in the construction of the timer to provide thisarrangement; and, in fact, in the interest of simplification of thetimer, it has been found that each of the four time intervals mentionedin the washing cycle may be conveniently made of about 15 seconds.

Further features of the invention pertain to the particular arrangementof the elements of the clothes washing machine and of the steps of themethod, whereby the above-outlined and additional operating featuresthereof are attained.

The invention, both as to its organization and method of operation,together with further objects and advantages thereof, will best beunderstood by reference to the following specification taken inconnection with the accompanying drawing, in which Figure l is avertical sectional view of a clothes washing'machine embodying thepresent invention, taken in the direct-ion of the arrows along the line1-1 in Fig. 3, and illustrating the clothes wringer in its operativeposition with the tub cover removed;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view, similar to Fig. l, of the upperportion of the clothes washing machine, illustrating the clothes wringerin its storage position with the tub cover in place;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the clothes washing machine, illustrating theclothes wringer in its operative position with the tub cover removed;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the upper portion ofthe tub, taken in the direction of the arrows along the line 44 in Fig.3, illustrating the pivotal mounting arrangement of the clothes wringer;

Fig. 5 is another enlarged vertical sectional view of the upper portionof the tub, taken in the direction of the arrows along the line 55' inFig. 3, illustrating the pivotal mounting arrangement of the clotheswringer; and

Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram of the electric control circuitincorporated in the clothes washing machine.

Referring now to Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive, of the drawings, the clotheswashing machine 105 there illustrated, and embodying the features of thepresent invention is of the portable home laundry typQ, and comprises anupper upstanding tub 11 and a lower upstanding housing 12 The tub 11 issubstantially cup-shaped in configuration, including a substantiallyhorizontal bottom wall 13 and a connecting substantially cylindricalside wall 14 having an open top and terminating in a downwardly andoutwardly folded or rolled rim 15. Also the housing 12 is substantiallycup-shaped in configuration, including a substantially horizontal bottomwall 16 and a connecting substantially cylindrical side wall 17. Thebottom wall 13 of the tub 11 is downwardly dished and an annularshoulder 18 is provided at the junction thereof with the lower portionof the side wall 14; which annular shoulder 18 receives the upper end ofthe side wall 17 of the housing 12. The bottom wall 16 of the housing 12has an enlarged opening 19 formed therein for the purpose ofaccommodating ventilation of the machinery disposed in the housing 12,and further carries a plurality of casters 20 accommodating readyrolling movement of the machine 10. The tub 11 and the housing 12 areretained in assembled relation in any suitable manner, as by welding;and the tub 11 is provided with a removable cover 21 having a downwardlyturned annular rim 22 and carrying a substantially centrally disposedhandle 23.

The tub 1,1 is of the stationary type, with reference to the washingaction, and has a downwardly projecting annular depression 24 formedtherein in offset relation with respect to the vertical center linethereof that receives a substantially horizontally disposed annulardisklike dasher 25. The dasher 25. is rigidly secured to the upper endof a substantially vertically disposed stub shaft 26 projecting throughan opening provided in the central portion of the depression 24, thelower end of the stub shaft 26 having a V-pulley 27 rigidly securedthereto and disposed within a machinery compartment 28. defined in thehousing 12. A suitable bearing and packing gland member 29 is arrangedin surrounding relation with respect to the stub. shaft 26 in order tomount it for rotation in either direction and to prevent the escape ofwash liquid therealong from the tub 11. Preferably, the dasher 25 issubstantially crown-shaped having a substantially smooth outer face 30projecting upwardly from the bottom wall 13 into the tub 11 andterminating in a substantially annular skirt 31 projecting downwardlyinto the depression 24. More particularly, the face 30 of the dasher 25is provided with a plurality of shallow ribs or vanes 32 that arepreferably substantially equally annularly spacedapart and radiallydisposed, four of the ribs 32 being shown for purpose of illustration.The dasher 25 may be of integral die-pressed sheet metal construction,where by the ribs 32 comprise upwardly directed embosses in the face 30thereof. Thus it will be understood that the dasher 25 is mounted forrotation in either direction within the tub 11 with the stub shaft 26.

A substantially segmental baflie 33' is arranged in the upper portion ofthe tub 1'1 and offset with respect to the vertical. centerlinethercof'and mounted'for pivotal movements upon a pair of laterallyspaced-apart brackets 34 also disposed in the upper portion of the tub11' and secured to the adjacent portions of the. side wall 14. Moreparticularly, the baffle 33 is disposed above the dasher 25 andcooperates therewith and with the adjacent portion of the, side wall 14to define an upstanding compartment 35 within the tub 11. and adapted toreceive wash liquid and clothes to be washed, the front edge of thebaflle 33 being spaced well away from. the side wall 14' to define asubstantially crescent-shaped, top opening or throat 36 into thecompartment 35' and communicating between the compartment 35 and the,exterior. More specifically, the baffle 33 is rigidly secured to alaterally extending shaft 37' that is. removably mounted in a pair oflaterally Opposed and aligned, bearing recesses 38 provided in thebrackets 34; As best shown in Figs. 3, 4' and 5, the opposite ends ofthe shaft 37 are removably received in the upwardly opening pair ofrecesses 38 provided. in the pair of brackets 34 and the pair ofbrackets 34. are secured in, place upon the adjacent portions-of theside wall 14 of the tub 11 by a cooperating pair of plates 39; wherebythe bafiie 33 is movable between an operative position, illustrated inFig. l, and a storage position, illustrated in Fig. 2.

When the bafile 33 occupies its operative position, illustrated in Fig.1, it is slightly upwardly inclined toward the front edge thereof andcooperates with the side wall 14 of the tub 11 to define the compartment35 and the throat opening 36, as previously explained. Also asubstantially longitudinally extending and downwardly facing rib 40 iscarried by the lower surface of the bafile 33 in intersecting relationwith respect to the shaft 37. Further, an upstanding fin 41 is carriedby the side wall 14 within the tub 11 in the throat opening 36, the fin41 extending both above and below the normal wash liquid level in thetub 11, as indicated by the broken line 42. Also, it is noted that thenormal wash liquid level 42 within the tub 11 is disposed above thethroat opening 36 completey submerging the baflie 33 in its operativeposition so that the compartment 35 is completely full of the washliquid and the clothes to be washed in the normal operation of themachine 10.

For the purpose of rotating the dasher 25, there is provided an electricmotor 43 of the single-phase alternating current induction type that ismounted upon a bracket 44 which is suitably secured to the bottom wall13 and supported by the tub 11 within the machinery compartment 28. Themotor 43 is of the reversible type and includes an upstanding operatingshaft 45 that has a V-pulley 46 rigidly secured to the upper endthereof. The stub shaft 26 and the operating shaft 45 are arranged insubstantially parallel relationship; and the V-pulleys 27 and 46 carriedon the lower and upper ends of the respective shafts 26 and 45 arealigned with respect to each other. Finally, the Vpulleys 27 and 46 areinterconnected by an appropriate V-belt 47; and in the arrangement, theV-pulley 46 is considerably smaller than the V-pulley 27, since thespeed of rotation of the operating shaft 45 is considerably greater thanthat of the stub shaft 26. Specifically, the operating shaft 45 of theelectric motor 43 may have a normal speed of rotation of about 1750 R.P. M.; and the normal speed of rotation of the stub shaft 26 may beabout 700 R. P. M.

Also, a manually operable clothes wringer 48 is mounted with the baffie33 upon the shaft 37 for pivotal movements between an operativeposition, illustrated in Fig. l, and a storage position, illustrated inFig. 2. The clothes wringer 48 includes a frame 49 provided with alaterally extending bottom eiement 50 directly secured to the uppersurface of the baflie 33, two laterally spacedapart upstanding sideelements 51, and a laterally extending top element 52. Arranged withinthe frame 49 are upper and lower laterally extending pressure rolls 53and 54 that are mounted for rotation for the purpose of exerting asqueezing action upon clothes placed therebetween. The upper roll 53 ismounted for movements toward and away from the lower roll 54 in order tocontrol the pressure therebetween; and the movement of the upper roll 53with respect to the lower roll 54 is governed by a mechanism, includingan adjustable wing nut 55 carried by the top element 52. Also, the shaftof the lower roll 54 is adapted detachably to receive a manuallyoperable crank, not shown, that is employed in the manual operation ofthe clothes wringer 48. When the clothes wringer 48 occupies itsoperative position, as shown in Figs, 1, 3, 4, and 5, it is held firmlyin place by an arrangement, including a pair of laterally disposed andaligned screws 56 arranged in threaded engagement in a pair of alignedopenings 57 formed in the pair of brackets 34. Each of the screws 56terminates at the outer end thereof in a thumb wing 58, and terminatesat the inner end thereof in a projecting pin 59 that is arranged toextend into a cooperating hole 68 formed in the adjacent side element51. is moved into its operative position, the two thumb wingsAccordingly, when the clothes wringer 58 squirrel-cage winding 67.

58 are appropriately rotated so as to project the pins 5 9* into thecooperating holes 60 provided in the side elements 51 of the frame 49,thereby securely holding the clothes wringer 48 in its operativeposition. After use, the clothes wringer 48 may be returned into itsstorage position, as illustrated in Fig. 2, by appropriatelymanipulating the thumb wings 58 so as to withdraw the pins 59 from theholes 60, whereby the frame 49 may be pivoted, along with the bafiie 33upon the shaft 37. Also, it will be understood that after the withdrawalof the pins 59 from the holes 68, the clothes wringer 48, along with thebaffle 33 and the shaft 37, may be removed, as a unit, from the brackets34 by exerting a lifting action thereupon, since the bearing recesses 38provided in the brackets 34 are open at the top thereof, as clearlyillustrated in Fig. 4. When the clothes wringer 48 and the baffle 33 arethus removed from the tub 11, the tub 11 may conveniently serve as acovered clothes hamper. Also, it will be understood'that when theclothes wringer 48 occupies its storage position, as illustrated in Fig.2, the tub cover 21 may be placed upon the rim 15 of the tub 11providing a complete closure for the tub 11. When the machine 10 is tobe used, the tub cover 21 is first removed and the clothes wringer 48returned to its operative position and secured in place by means of thewing screws 57, as previously described.

In the construction of the washing machine 10, the diameters of the tub11 and the housing 12 may be about 15"; the distance between the bottomwall 16 of the housing 12 and the bottom wall 13 of the tub 11 may beabout 18"; the distance between the bottom wall 13 of the tub 11 and thetop of the rim 15 thereof may be about 11'; the distance between thecenter line of the shaft 37 and the top of the rim 15 of the tub 11 maybe about 3"; the distance between the top of the rim 15 of the tub 11and the top of the thumb nut 55 carried by the clothes wriuger 48, whenthe clothes wringer 48 occupies its operative position, may be about 6";the overall height of the machine 10 from the floor to the top of thethumb nut 55, when the wringer 48 occupies its operative position, maybe about 32%"; the overall height of the machine 10 from the floor tothe top of the rim 15 of the tub 11 may be about 26%"; the radius of thedasher 25 may be about 2 /2"; and the tub 11 may have a capacity ofabout 6 gallons of wash liquid, when it is filled to the normal headindicated by the wash liquid level 42.

As shown in Fig. 6, the electric motor 43 is provided with a manuallysettable cycle control arrangement that includes a source of electriccurrent supply of 110 volts, A. C. single-phase, a master switch S6].and a control switch S62. The electric motor 43 comprises a stator 63provided with respective main and auxiliary windings 64 and 65 arrangedin quadrature relation, and a rotor 66 mounted upon the operating shaft45 and provided with 2. Also operatively associated with the shaft 45 isa start switch S68 of the centrifugal type provided with a contactcontrol member 69. The master switch S61 is provided with a single pairof contacts 70; while the control switch S62 is provided with six pairsof contacts 71, 72, 73, 74, and 76. The cycle control mechanism furthercomprises a timer motor 77 of the synchronous type having an operatingshaft 78 that is connected to an associated gear box '79 housingsuitable reduction gearing, not shown. Projecting from the gear box 79are first and second driven shafts 80 and 81 that are respectivelyrotated at one revolution per minute and at one revolution per hour. Aninsulating control cam 82 is rigidly secured to the driven shaft 80 andis arranged to govern the position of the control switch S62. The drivenshaft 81 is operatively connected to a driven shaft 83 by an interposedslip clutch 84 of the friction type. An insulating control cam 85 isrigidly secured to the driven shaft 83 and is arranged to govern theposition of the master switch S61. Further, a manually operable controldial or knob 86 is rigidly secured to the extreme outer end; of thedriven shaft 83' and is provided with suitable indicia thatcooperateswith a fixed marker 87. Finally, the circuit controlarrangement comprises a capacitor 88 that is employedin the circuit ofthe auxiliary winding 65 for the purpose of shifting the phaserelationship between the starting current traversing the auxiliarywinding 65 and the starting current traversing the main winding 64; theelectric motor 43 being of the conventional capacitor-start type, Asillustrated, the control cam 85 includes a single projection 89 that isarranged to operate the master switch S61 into its open position whenthe off indicia carried by the control dial 86 matches the marker 87;and as illustrated, the control cam 82 comprises a projecting quadrant98 and an opposed depressed quadrant 91, as well as two interveningmedium or reference quadrants and 93.

Considering now the operation of the cycle con rol circuit, asillustrated in Fig. 6, when the control cam 85 occupies its off positionoperating tr e master switch S61 into its open position, the control cam82 may occupy any position, such, for example, as that illustrated,wherein the control switch S62 is operated into its open position. Atthis time, the operator may manually rotate the control knob 86 in thecounterclockwise direction from its off position into its variable onposition, as indicated by the cooperation between the marker 87 and theindex carried by the control knob 86. When the shaft 83 is thus operatedout of its off position, the control cam 85 is operated out of its oifposition, causing the projection 89 to control the master switch S61operating it from its open position into its closed position. When thecontact pair 70 of the master switch S61 is thus closed, a circuit iscompleted for operating the timer motor 77, whereby the shaft 78 thereofis rotated at the synchronous speed causing the gearing in the gear box79 to drive the shafts 80 and 81 at the respective speeds of onerevolution per minute and of one revolution per hour. More particularly,the shaft 81 is rotated in the clockwise direction thereby restoring theshaft 83 in the clockwise direction back into its off position during atime interval corresponding to the initial setting of the manual dial86. The shaft 81 drives the shaft 83 through the slip clutch 84, whichslip clutch 84 accommodates initial manual setting of the shaft 83 withrespect to the shaft 81. When the shaft 83 is returned into its of.position the control dial 86 is returned into its off position and thecontrol cam 85 is returned into its off position so that the projection89 operates the master switch S61 into its open position. When themaster switch S61 is thus operated into its open position, operation ofthe timer motor 77 is arrested. In view of the foregoing, it will beunderstood that by means of the control dial 86 any overall timeinterval may be manually set for operation of the timer motor 77.

During operation of the timer motor 77, the shaft 80 is rotated in thecounterclockwise direction at one revolution per minute, as previouslynoted; whereby the four sections 92, 91, 93 and 90 of the control cam 82sequentially cooperate with the control switch S62 in a cyclic manner.As illustrated, when the portion 92 of the control cam 82 cooperateswith the control switch S62, the control switch S62 is operated into itsoff position opening each of the contact pairs 71, 72, 73, 74, 75 and76; whereby the electric motor 43 occupies its open-circuit position.Subsequently, when the portion 91 of the control cam 82 cooperates withthe control switch S62, the control switch S62 is operated into one ofits on positions (its forward position) closing the contact pairs 72, 74and 76. In the forward position of the control switch S62, a circuit,including the contact pair 76, is completed for energizing the mainwinding 64 of the electric motor 43; and a circuit, including thecontact pairs 72 and 74, as wellas the capacitor 88and the start switchS68, is completed for poling and energizing the auxiliary winding 65 ofthe electric motor 43 in the forward direction. Accordingly, theelectric motor 43 quickly starts ;rotating 8 the shaft 45 thereof in theforward direction and causing the start switch S68 to operate thecontact control member'69 into its open position so as to deenergize theauxiliary winding 37; whereby the electric motor 43 continues to run inthe forward direction by virtue of the energization of themain winding64. at this time. Thereafter, when the portion 93 of the control cam 82cooperates with the control switch S62, the, control switch S62 isoperated back into its off position opening the contact pairs 72, 74and76 so asto deenergize'the main winding 64 of the electric motor 43 inorder that rotation of the shaft 45 is quickly stopped causing the startswitch S68 to return the contact control member 69 back into its closedposition. Thereafter, when the portion 90 of the control cam 82cooperates with the control switch S62, the control switch, S62 isoperated into the other of its on positions (its reverse position)closing the contact pairs "71, 73 and'75. In the reverse position of thecontrol switch S62, a circuit,,including the contact pair 75, iscompleted, for energizing the main winding 64 of the electric motor 43;and a circuit, including the contact pairs 71 and 73, as well as thecapacitor 88 and the start switch S68, is completed. for poling andenergizing the auxiliary winding 65 of the electric motor 43 in thereverse direction. Accordingly, the electric motor 43 quickly startsrotating the, shaft 45 thereof in the reverse direction and causing thestart switch S68 to operate the contact control member 69; ino itsiopenposition so as to deenergize the auxiliary winding 65; whereby theelectric motor 43t-continues town in the reverse direction by virtue ofthe energization of the main winding 64 at this time. Thereafter, whenthe; portion 92 of the control cam 82 again cooperates with the controlswitch S62, the control switch S62 is operated back into its offposition opening the contact pairs 71, 73 and 75 so as to deenergize themain winding 64 of the motor 43 in order that rotation of the shaft 45is quickly stopped causing the start switch $68 to return the contactcontrol member 69 back into its closed position.

In view of the foregoing, it will be understood that during. the overalltime interval the master switch S61 occupies its closed, position, thecontrol switch S62 is operated cyclically through its ofi, forward, offand reverse positions. In the arrangement, the control cam 82 governsthe cycle of the control switch S62 once each minute, so that in eachcycle of the control switch S62, the electric motor 43 is run in theforward direction during a first short time interval of about 15seconds, the electric motor 43 isstopped during a second short timeinterval of about 15 seconds, the electric motor 43 is run in thereverse direction during a third short time interval of about 15seconds, and the electric motor 4-3 is stopped during a fourth shorttime interval of about 15 seconds. Of course, the cyclic control of theelectric motor 43, described above, is repeated throughout the overalltime interval during which the master switch S61 occuplies its closedposition, and when the master switch S61 is operated into its openposition, further operation of the motor 43 is arrested, regardless ofthe position of the control switch S62.

Considering now the method of washing clothes in the clothes washingmachine 18, the tub cover 21 is removed from the top of the tub 1 1; theclothes Wringer 84- is moved from its storage position to its operativeposition, the wing screws. 56 are set in order securely to hold theclothes wringer 48 in its operative position; the wash liquid, theclothes to be washed, and a suitable detergent areplaced in the tub11;,and the control knob 86 is manually set to the desired overallwashing time interval so as to initiate the cyclic control of, theelectric motor 43 previously described. More particularly, the electricmotor 43 operates, the dasher- 25 through a plurality of washing cycles;and in each washing cycle, the dasher 25 is; rotated, in; the; forward,direction during the first short time intervaLthe-rotationof the dasher25 is ar- 9 rested during the second short time interval, then thedasher 25 is rotated in the reverse direction during the third shorttime interval, and then rotation of the dasher 25 is arrested during thefourth short-time interval. More particularly, during the first shorttime interval mentioned, the dasher 25 is quickly accelerated from itsrest position and continuously rotated in the forward directionsubstantially at its full speed of 700 R. P. M.; and during the secondshort time interval mentioned, rotation of the dasher 25 in the forwarddirection is quickly arrested. Similarly, during the third short timeinterval mentioned, the dasher 25 is quickly accelerated from its restposition and continuously rotated in the reverse direction substantiallyat its full speed of 700 R. P. M.; and during the fourth short timeinterval mentioned, rotation of the dasher 25 in the reverse directionis quickly arrested.

During the first short time interval mentioned, continuous rotation ofthe dasher 25 in the forward direction whirls and centrifugallydischarges the clothes and the wash liquid in the tub 11 in a firstspiral path extending in a first or forward direction outwardly awayfrom a substantially horizontally disposed active area arranged adjacentto the face 30 thereof and sucks the clothes and the wash liquid backinwardly toward the center of the dasher 25 along a substantiallyvertical path; and during the second short time interval mentioned whenthe forward rotation of the dasher 25 is arrested, the clothes and thewash liquid in the tub 11 assume a substantially quiescent condition.Likewise, during the third short time interval mentioned, the continuousrotation of the dasher 25 in the reverse direction whirls andcentrifugally discharges the clothes and the wash liquid in the tub in asecond spiral path extending in a second or reverse direction outwardlyaway from the substantially horizontally disposed active area arrangedadjacent to the face thereof and sucks the clothes and the wash liquidback inwardly toward the center of the dasher 25 along the substantiallyvertical path; and during the fourth short time interval mentioned whenthe reverse rotation of the dasher 25 is arrested, the clothes and thewash liquid in the tub 11 assume a substantially quiescent condition.

During the forward whirling and centrifugal discharge of the clothes andthe wash liquid in the tub 11, the clothes are circulated successivelyover the face 30 of the dasher 25 and thence upwardly along the sidewall 14 of the tub 11, so that they are rubbed and pulsated by the lowshallow ribs 32 provided on the face 30 of the dasher 25 in order toloosen soil therefrom; whereby the loosened soil quickly separates fromthe clothes into the wash liquid when forward rotation of the dasher 25is arrested. Likewise, during the reverse whirling and centrifugaldischarge of the clothes and the wash liquid in the tub 11, the clothesare circulated successively over the face 30 of the dasher 25 and thenceupwardly along the side wall 14 of the tub 11, so that they are rubbedand pulsated by the low shallow ribs 32 provided on the face 30 of thedasher 25 in order to loosen soil therefrom; whereby the loosened soilquickly separates from the clothes into the wash liquid when reverserotation of the dasher 25 is arrested.

During the continuous forward rotation of the dasher 25 and during thecontinuous reverse rotation of the dasher 25, the centrifugal forcesinvolved tend to create an upstanding open vortex in the wash liquidover the center of the dasher 25; however, the upstanding open vortex inthe wash liquid does not materialize by virtue of the construction ofthe tub 11. Specifically, the center of the dasher 25 is disposed belowthe battle 33 in its operative position; and the wash liquid level,indicated by the broken line 42, is well above the throat opening 36 sothat the baffle 33 is completely submerged in the wash liquid and coversthe area disposed above the dasher 25. Hence the baflle 33 constitutesan anti-cavitation 1"0 a plate preventing the entry of air into thecenter of the whirling mass of wash liquid disposed therebelow; and

consequently preventing the initiation of the formation of theupstanding open vortex in the wash liquid.

Moreover, the continuous rotation of the dasher 25 in either directionis of the first or third short time intervals, whereby the build-up ofthe centrifugal forces in the mass of wash liquid, tending to producethe upstanding open vortex therein are appropriately limited, so thatthe following quiescent period is initiated before the centrifugalforces mentioned have had an opportunity to build-up to an undesirableextent. Accordingly, in the operation of the machine 10, the formationof the upstanding open vortex in the wash liquid is preventednotwithstanding the continuous rotation of the substantiallyhorizontally disposed dasher 25 at the relatively high speed mentioned.

While there is a slight tendency for the clothes to be wrapped-up duringthe continuous forward rotation of the dasher 25, the clothes are nicelyunfolded during the following substantially quiescent period; and whilethere is a slight tendency for the clothes to be wrapped-up during thecontinuous reverse rotation of the dasher 25, the clothes are nicelyunfolded during the following substantially quiescent period. Moreoversince the wrap-up of the clothes produced by the continuous forwardwhirling action and the Wrap-up of the clothes produced by thecontinuous reverse whirling action take place in opposite directions,each of thesecomplementary actions produces an upwrapping action withrespect to the wrapping action of the other. Furthermore, since the twoactions take place only during short time intervals, there is never anysevere wrapping-up or tangling of the clothes during operation of theclothes washing machine 10. Finally, it appears that the substantiallyquiescent periods interposed between the complementary whirling actionsproduce highly desirable soaking actions upon the clothes; whereby theoverall washing time interval is actually reduced in order to obtain apredetermined washing eifect upon a given load of clothes.

Also during, the circulation of the wash liquid and the clothes in thetub 11 during either the forward whirling action or the reverse whirlingaction, the clothes engage the traversely extending rib 40 carried bythe baffle 33 and also the upstanding fin 41 carried by the side Wall 14of the tub 11, whereby the clothes dragging thereupon are turned over soas to obtain a thorough washing of all parts thereof. Furthermore, theclothes in their circulation in the tub 11 have a tendency occasionallyto rise up into the throat opening 36, whereby an additional drag isexerted thereupon in order to insure complete turning over and washingof all parts of the load of clothes. Also in the circulation of the washliquid in the tub 11 some air enters the throat opening 36 into thecompartment 35 in order to insure aeration of the clothes in a highlydesirable manner; and the air bubbles forming in the wash liquid in thecompartment 35 rise up under the baffle 33 and escape adjacent to thefront edge thereof into the throat opening 36. Finally, a small hole 33ais formed in the baflle 33 adjacent to the rear edge thereof in order toaccommodate the return of the wash liquid from thereabove back into thecompartment 35.

The forward rotation of the dasher 25 produces the forward whirling andvcentrifugal discharge of the clothes and the wash liquid in thesubstantially horizontally disposed active area arranged adjacent to theface 30 thereof and adjacent to the bottom wall 13 of the tub 11 byvirtue of the centrifugal forces involved that are produced by theaction of the shallow ribs 32 upon the clothes and the wash liquid; andin this case, the forward ly directed spirals of the wash liquid currentspread-out in the forward direction away from the center of the dasher25. Likewise, the reverse rotation of the dasher 25 producesthe reversewhirling and centrifugal discharge of the clothes and the wash liquid inthe substantially horizontally disposed active area arranged adjacent tothe r .11 face 30 thereof and adjacent to the bottom wall 13 of the tub11 by virtue of the centrifugal forces involved that are producedby theaction of the shallow ribs 32 upon the clothes and the wash liquid; andin this case, the rearwardly directed spirals of the wash liquid currentspread out in the reverse direction away from the center of the dasher25. Also, .in either direction of rotation of the dasher 25, the suctionof the clothes and the wash liquid along the vertical path toward thecenter of the dasher 25 efiects some entrainment of air that is usefulin producing aeration of the clothes as they undergo the washing action.

In carrying out the method, it is not essential that the first shorttime interval of the forward whirling action and the third short timeinterval of the reverse whirling action be equal; and likewise, 'it isnot essential that the second and fourth short time intervals of the twointerposed quiescent periods be equal; however, it has been found to bevery convenient in the construction of the cycle control mechanism ortimer to provide each of the short time intervals mentioned of aduration of about 15 seconds. Specifically, the 15-second forward andreverse whirling actions are not sufficiently long to elfect theformation of the upstanding open vortex in the wash liquid or to bringabout substantial wrapping-up of the clothes; and the l-sec0nd quiescentperiods are adequate to obtain both the subsiding of the tendencies toform the upstanding open vortex in the wash liquid and the desiredunfolding of the clothes in the wash liquid.

lnpassing, it is noted that the overall circulation of the clothes andthe wash liquid in the tub 11 is greatly improved by virtue of thecircumstance that the clothes are not permitted to ball-up or becometangled in accordance with the present method, whereby a more effectivewashing action is in fact achieved during the overall washing timeinterval, notwithstanding the quiescent periods disposed between theforward whirling action and the reverse whirling action in each of theplurality of washing cycles. Moreover, the load handling capacity of theclothes washing machine is increased approximately 50% by employing thepresent method; whereby in the clothese washing machine 10, a total loadbetween 6 and 8 pounds, depending upon the character of the clothes, maybe thoroughly washed without tangling in a short overall washing timeinterval.

After the clothes have been washed in the tub ll of the machine lit, thewash liquid is drained therefrom in any suitable manner, not shown; andthen the wash liquid absorbed by the clothes may be readily expressedtherefrom by operation of the clothes wringer 48, in an obvious manner.I

In view of the foregoing, it is apparent that there has been provided animproved clothes washing machine embodying a minimum number of simpleoperating parts.

While there has been described what is at present considered to be thepreferred embodiment of the invention, it will be understood thatvarious modifications may be made therein, and it is intended to coverin the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the truespirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A clothes washing machine comprising a stationary upstanding tubincluding a substantially horizontal bottom end wall and a substantiallyvertical connecting side wall provided with a top opening, a baffiearranged in the upper end of said side wall and partially closing thetop opening in said side wall so as to define a compartment and a throatopening disposed above said compartment and communicating between saidcompartment and the exterior, said compartment being readily accessiblefrom the exterior through said throat opening and being adapted tocontain wash liquid and clothes to be washed, the normal wash liquidlevel in said tub being disposed above said throat openingvso that saidcompartment is completely filled with the wash liquid and the clothes, asubstantially disk-like dasher arranged in said compartment adjacent tosaid bottom end wall and positioned below said baffle and having asubstantially smooth face and mounted on said bottom end wall forrotation about a substantially vertical axis offset with respect to saidthroat opening, and drive mechanism for cyclically operating saiddasher; said mechanism, in each cycle thereof, continuously r0- tatingsaid dasher during a first short time interval at a relatively highspeed, and then arresting said rotation of said dasher during a'secondshort time interval; in each cycle of said mechanism, said continuousrotation of said dasher during said first short time interval effectingcirculation of the wash liquid and the clothes contained in saidcompartment, and during said second short time interval the clothes andthe wash liquid contained in said compartment being brought to asubstantially quiescent condition, the wash liquid and the clothesecontained in said compartment being circulated from the face of saiddasher in outwardly directed spirals across said bottom end wall andthence upwardly along said side wall and then back inwardly anddownwardly toward the center of the face of said dasher, and the clothescontained in said compartment being rubbed and pulsated as they aremoved across the face of said dasher.

2. A clothes washing machine comprising a stationary upstanding tubincluding a substantially horizontal bottom end wall and asubstantiallyvertical connecting side wall provided with a top opening and a-bafflearranged in the upper end of said side wall and'partially closing thetop opening in said sidewall so as to define a compartment and a throatopening disposed above said compartment and communicating between saidcompartment and the exterior, said compartment being readily accessiblefrom the exterior through said throat opening and being adapted tocontain wash liquid and clothes to be washed, the normal. wash liquidlevel in said tub being disposed above said throat opening so that saidcompartment is completely filled with the Wash liquid and the clothes, asubstantially disk-like dasher arranged in said compartment adjacent tosaid bottom end wall and positioned below said baffle and having asubstantially smooth face and mounted on said bottom end wall forrotation in either direction about a substantially vertical axis offsetwith respect to said throat opening, and drive mechanism for cyclicallyoperating said dasher; said mechanism, in each cycle thereof,continuously rotating said dasher during a first short time interval inone direction at a relatively high speed, then arresting said rotationof said dasher during a second short time interval, then againcontinuously rotating said dasher during a third short time interval inthe opposite direction at a relatively high speed, and then againarresting said rotation of said dasher during a fourth short timeinterval; in each cycle of said mechanism, said continuous rotation ofsaid dasher during said first and third short time intervals effectingcirculation of the wash liquid and the clothes contained in saidcompartment, and during said second and fourth short time intervals theclothes and the wash liquid contained in said compartment being broughtto a substantially quiescent condition, the wash liquid and the clothesecontained in said compartment being circulated during said first shorttime interval from the face of said dasher in outwardly directed spiralsin one direction across said bottom end wall and thence upwardly alongsaid side wall and then back inwardly and downwardly toward the centerof the face of said dasher, the wash liquid and the clothes contained insaid compartment being circulated during said third short time intervalfrom the face of said dasher in outwardly directed spirals in theopposite direction across said bottom end wall and thence upwardly alongsaid side wall and then back inwnrdly and downwardly toward the centerof the face of said dasher, and the clothes contained in saidcompartment being rubbed and pulsated as they are moved in eitherdirection across the face of said dasher.

3. A clotheswashing machine comprising a stationary upstanding tubincluding a substantially horizontal bottom end wall and a substantiallyvertical connecting side wall provided with a top opening, a baffle,means mounting said battle in the upper end of said side wall formovements between an operative position and a storage position, saidbaffle in its operative position cooperating with said tub to define acompartment and a throat opening disposed above said compartment andcommunicating between said compartment and the exterior, saidcompartment being readily accessible from the exterior through saidthroat opening with said bathe in its operative position and beingadapted to contain wash liquid and clothes to be washed, the normal washliquid level in said tub being disposed above said throat opening withsaid bafiie in its operative position so that said compartment iscompletely filled with the wash liquid and the clothes, a substantiallydisk-like dasher arranged in said compartment adjacent to said bottomend wall and positioned below said baffle in its operative position andhaving a substantially smooth face and mounted on said bottom end wallfor rotation about a substantially vertical axis offset with respect tosaid throat opening, means for continuously rotating said dasher at arelatively high speed in order to circulate the wash liquid and theclothes contained in said compartment, the wash liquid and the clothescontained in said compartment being circulated from the face of saiddasher in outwardly directed spirals across said bottom end wall andthence upwardly along said side wall and then back inwardly anddownwardly toward the center of said dasher, said bafile in itsoperative position presenting a downwardly directed surface completelysubmerged in the wash liquid in said compartment and extending entirelyover said dasher to prevent the formation of any substantial upstandingvortex in the substantially vertically disposed column of the washliquid extending between the face of said dasher and the downwardlydirected submerged surface of said baffle incident to the circulation ofthe wash liquid, the clothes contained in said compartment being rubbedand pulsated as they are moved across the face of said dasher, and aclothes wringer carried by said bafile said clothes wringer being movedinto an operative position disposed above said tub in response tomovement of said baffle into its operative position and being moved intoa storage position disposed in said tub in response to movement of saidbaffle into its storage position.

4. The clothes washing machine set forth in claim 3; wherein saidbafiieis mounted in the upper end of said side wall for pivotalmovements between its operative and storage positions, and furthercomprising selectively operative means for retaining said bafile in itsoperative position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,746,250 Getz Feb. 11, 1930 1,866,779 Snyder July 12, 1932 1,923,580Nelson Aug. 22, 1933 2,056,833 Davis Oct. 6, 1936 2,142,961 Kuhn Jan. 3,1939 2,166,294 Hetzer July 18, 1939 2,334,780 Lundy Nov. 23, 19432,363,184 Jacobs Nov. 21, 1944 2,446,750 Ferris Aug. 10, 1948 2,455,043Calhoun Nov. 30, 1948 2,478,188 Gibson Aug. 9, 1949 2,516,656 Smith July25, 1950

